ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS

May 18, 2020

Governor JB Pritzker 207 State House Springfield, IL 62706

Dear Governor Pritzker,

As our state, and our nation has been grappling with the effects of COVID-19, the government response has understandably focused on protecting the public from the potentially deadly effects of the virus. Simple things we can quantify, like how many cases, how many deaths, and slowing the mortality rate have been the focus. However, there has been almost no discussion or response related to the devastating effects that ongoing social isolation is having on the mental and long-term health of individuals and families.

 Suicide: In March alone, calls to the national Disaster Distress Hotline jumped 891% compared to the prior year. A new study released by the Well Being Trust and the American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that “deaths of despair” could reach as high as 150,000. Schools that utilize Chromebooks equipped with “bark alert” systems to notify staff if a student researches information on how to commit suicide have seen a dramatic increase in alerts.  Substance Abuse: National alcohol sales jumped more than 25% in the first week of April. The same study referenced above points to the fact that leaving the home for a job has a direct correlation to mitigating substance abuse behaviors. The problem is compounded further by those turning to alcohol and other substances to deal with the depression and anxiety brought on by long-term isolation.  Domestic Violence/Child Abuse: Law enforcement agencies across the state are reporting a surge in domestic violence calls, but have also warned the real numbers are likely much worse. As child welfare advocates reported at the end of March, reports of child abuse dropped in the first two weeks of ’ stay at home order for one primary reason – the #1 mandated reporter of child abuse are schools. The real number of abuse cases could be more than double.

- Page 1 -

- Page 2 -

As our state continues to grapple with protecting the public from COVID-19, we cannot continue to focus simply on the number of cases or lives lost as a direct result of the virus. We must begin to recognize that there is an underlying reality that the loss of jobs and livelihoods is directly linked to the negative effects that social isolation is having on the mental and long-term health of Illinoisans. The study noted above explicitly cited this fact, and research conducted by Harvard University on the Great Recession, as well as research conducted for the U.S. Treasury on the correlation between income and life expectancy paint a stark reality we must face.

According to that research, 260,000 treatable cancer deaths were a result of the rise in unemployment between 2008 and 2010. Equally, if not more troubling, those forced into poverty as a result of unemployment literally lose years off their lives. An average of fifteen years lost for men and ten for women.

The growth of the overall human toll linked to COVID-19 and its response can no longer be ignored. We must recognize how this is all intertwined and linked to the social isolation that has been prescribed. We must ensure our path forward finally takes a holistic approach to save not only the lives of those infected by the virus, but also the lives of those affected by the government’s response.

Governor, as we have from the beginning, we stand ready to work with you.

Sincerely,

Amy Grant nd State Representative – 42 District

State Representative – 82nd District

Keith Wheeler State Representative – 50th District State Representative – 20th District

Tom Morrison th Margo McDermed State Representative – 54 District State Representative – 37th District

Steve Reick rd State Representative – 63 District State Representative – 41st District

Tom Weber th State Representative – 64 District State Representative – 79th District

Dan Ugaste th State Representative – 65 District State Representative – 87th District

Allen Skillicorn State Representative – 66th District State Representative – 89th District

Joe Sosnowski th State Representative – 69 District State Representative – 90th District

Jeff Keicher State Representative – 70th District Mike Unes State Representative – 91st District

Tony McCombie State Representative – 71st District rd State Representative – 93 District

Ryan Spain State Representative – 73rd District th State Representative – 94 District

Dan Swanson th State Representative – 74 District State Representative – 95th District

David A. Welter State Representative – 75th District State Representative – 97th District

Mike Murphy State Representative – 99th District State Representative – 107th District

C.D. Davidsmeyer Charlie Meier th State Representative – 100th District State Representative – 108 District

Dan Caulkins th State Representative – 101st District State Representative – 109 District

Brad Halbrook Chris Miller State Representative – 102nd District State Representative – 110th District

Mike Marron State Representative – 115th District State Representative – 104th District

Dave Severin State Representative – 117th District Dan Brady

State Representative – 105th District

Patrick Windhorst th Thomas M. Bennett State Representative – 118 District State Representative – 106th District